It’s said that every great road trip begins with an early start, and ours was no exception. The first leg of our journey across Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island, took us from Satsumasendai in Kagoshima Prefecture to the coastal city of Karatsu in Saga Prefecture, covering approximately 180 kilometers. With 10 days of adventures ahead of us, this drive was the perfect introduction to life on the road.
Dawn over Kyushu: Early start on quiet local roads
To make the most of the day, we left Satsumasendai at 4:00 a.m. The early departure helped us avoid rush hour traffic and the intense afternoon heat that is common during summer in this part of Japan. As the sun slowly rose over Kyushu, quiet roads and peaceful countryside accompanied us northward.
For this trip, we chose to stay off the highways and instead follow local roads. The slower pace allowed us to experience small towns, rural landscapes, and glimpses of everyday life that are often missed when travelling on the quicker toll roads.
Exploring Karatsu: Castles, pine forests, and coastal evenings
By late morning, we arrived in Karatsu, a city known for its rich history and beautiful coastline. Our first stop was Karatsu Castle, perched on a hill overlooking Karatsu Bay. The castle’s striking white exterior contrasted beautifully with the blue sea below, and the expansive views from the top made it easy to understand why the location has been admired for centuries.
From there, we headed towards Nijinomatsubara, one of Japan’s most famous pine forests. Stretching for several kilometers along the coast, the woodland is home to around one million pine trees. Walking beneath the towering pines offered welcome shade and a peaceful atmosphere before we emerged onto the beach.
The wide sandy shoreline was the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the afternoon. Fans of anime may also recognize this location, as the beach shower area at Nijinomatsubara appears in the popular series Yuri!!! On Ice. Seeing the setting in person added another layer of interest to an already memorable destination.
As evening arrived, we settled in for the night beside the beach. Listening to the sound of the waves from the comfort of our camping car was a fitting end to the first day of our Japanese road trip and a reminder that the journey itself is often the greatest destination.
Travel tip
Before setting off, take time to plan your route. Consider whether toll roads are worth the additional cost or if local roads better suit your travel style. We chose to travel on local roads for this journey, as it allowed us to enjoy more scenery and discover places we might otherwise have passed by.